The National Bank Open’s round of 16 is set to define the rest of the week, with big names still alive in Toronto and a wide-open men’s draw in Montreal. By the end of Sunday, only eight players and eight women will remain in each singles field.
The event runs across both cities on Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9, with session times built around the two-venue format and the usual day-to-day schedule changes.
Two Cities, Two Very Different Storylines
Montreal has turned unpredictable fast, while Toronto has stayed much closer to the script. That contrast gives this stage of the tournament extra weight, especially with several top seeds already gone from the men’s side and the women’s favorites still pushing forward.
For Canadian fans, the stakes are simple: Montreal has become a scramble for survival, and Toronto still offers a path for the stars to separate from the pack.
Montreal’s Men’s Draw Has Opened Up
The men’s bracket lost several major contenders early, which changed the entire shape of the tournament. Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, and Andrey Rublev were all beaten in their first matches, while Félix Auger-Aliassime withdrew because of a back injury.
That kind of early turnover leaves a rare opening for players who arrived with less spotlight.
- Ben Shelton remains one of the clearest favorites after starting with a straight-sets win over Jenson Brooksby.
- Casper Ruud also looks dangerous after a strong opening performance against Juan Manuel Cerúndolo.
- João Fonseca earned attention by knocking out Stefanos Tsitsipas in a tight match.
- Arthur Fils advanced in three sets and has the athletic tools to keep moving.
- Tallon Griekspoor delivered one of the loudest upsets by defeating Zverev.
With so many established names missing, confidence and momentum may matter more than ranking for the rest of the week.
Ben Shelton Still Looks Like the Man to Beat
Shelton arrived as the defending champion, and that label now carries even more attention. His serve and first-strike power fit the hard courts well, and his confidence in pressure moments has grown since his breakthrough run last year.
The challenge is consistency. When Shelton shortens rallies too quickly, he can give away control. Still, the path ahead looks more manageable than it did at the start, and that makes him one of the main figures to watch in Montreal.
Toronto’s Top Seeds Keep Moving
The women’s event has been steadier, with several high-profile players surviving the early rounds. Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva have all stayed in contention and bring far more stability to the Toronto side of the tournament.
Sabalenka remains the most complete threat. She opened with a routine win and carried a long winning streak on hard courts into the later rounds. Her power game is well suited to Toronto’s quick conditions, and another deep run would also help protect her position at the top of the rankings.
Why Sabalenka and Rybakina Matter Most
Rybakina has not been quite as clean, but her ceiling remains extremely high. She needed three sets to get past Daria Kasatkina, finishing with an equal number of winners and unforced errors. That kind of match can go either way against stronger opposition, yet her serve still gives her a chance against anyone.
Her title chances remain real, even if the path is not smooth. If she raises her level in key moments, she can still challenge Sabalenka for the championship and possibly even for the world No. 1 position.
Toronto also continues to highlight players who excel in longer exchanges and pressure-heavy matches. Pegula and Gauff both fit that description, though in different ways.
Gauff, Pegula, and Andreeva Add Depth
Coco Gauff started with a straight-sets win over qualifier Kayla Day, but the match still demanded patience. Her speed, defense, and court coverage remain some of the strongest assets in the draw.
Jessica Pegula had a tougher opening. After dropping the first set to Magdalena Frech, she found her rhythm and took control late. Her history in this tournament matters too, since she has already won the title twice and knows how to handle these conditions.
Mirra Andreeva may have produced the most complete performance of the group. She dismissed Karolina Pliskova in under an hour, showing maturity beyond her age and a steady all-court game that translates well to hard courts.
Andreeva’s rapid rise is becoming one of the clearest signs that the next generation is already here.
Canada’s Best Hope Now Rests With Leylah Fernandez
Canadian hopes in the women’s draw now sit squarely with Leylah Fernandez. She handled Renata Zarazúa with a clean, aggressive performance and gave the home crowd a reason to stay invested in the tournament.
Her next test is more demanding, because Elise Mertens is experienced, disciplined, and capable of extending points. Fernandez will need to stay sharp on return and keep attacking early in rallies if she wants to keep the local story alive.
- Strength: early ball striking and court aggression.
- Key challenge: managing an opponent who can absorb pace.
- Big opportunity: becoming the last Canadian singles player still standing.
That pressure is real, but so is the motivation.
How to Follow the Tournament
In Canada, Sportsnet covers the English-language broadcast, while TVA Sports provides French coverage. The matches are also available through the networks’ digital platforms, making it easier to keep up with both venues throughout the week.
Schedules can shift because of match length and weather, so the order of play is usually finalized close to each session.
What the Weekend Could Decide
Saturday and Sunday should reveal which contenders are legitimate threats and which are only surviving the chaos. Montreal has already produced enough upsets to make the men’s draw feel wide open, while Toronto still looks loaded with top-tier talent.
If Shelton stays composed, Ruud stays efficient, and the younger players keep swinging freely, Montreal could produce another surprise name. In Toronto, Sabalenka, Rybakina, Pegula, Gauff, and Andreeva are all trying to turn consistency into control.
For Canadian fans, Fernandez remains the key storyline. If she advances again, she keeps a home audience fully engaged in a tournament that has already delivered plenty of drama.
